Buffalo Sabres acquire Buffalo Regals tier 1 organization

by jmaloni

Press release

Thu, Mar 7th 2013 03:00 pm

New organization to begin
play in 2014-15 season

The
Buffalo Sabres have announced they acquired the Buffalo Regals tier I youth
hockey organization effective for the 2014-15 season. The Sabres new youth
hockey association will play under the highly successful Buffalo Jr. Sabres
organization and be housed at the HARBORcenter complex scheduled to open Sept.
1, 2014. The Sabres will operate teams from the Mite Major level (8 years old)
through Midget 18 U and continue to be members of the South-Central (Ontario)
Triple A Hockey League and the Tier I Elite League.

"We
are very excited to be making this announcement today," said Michael Gilbert,
vice president of public and community relations for the Buffalo Sabres. "The
Buffalo Regals have operated for 60 years in Buffalo and are considered one of
the best youth hockey organizations in the northeast. We believe we can further
elevate the level of development of youth hockey players in the Buffalo area
and make our new HARBORcenter complex a destination that youth hockey players
and parents from across the United States and Canada will want to come to play
and train at."

The
Regals will continue to operate their tier I organization for the 2013-14
season and their tier II and house programs will continue to operate as they
currently do in future years. Thursday's announcement only affects the tier I
portion of the Regals organization. The Regals organization received no payment
from the Buffalo Sabres and the Sabres will be responsible for all financial
aspects of the tier I organization after it begins play in 2014.

"The
Regals board of directors are happy to announce this arrangement with the
Buffalo Sabres," said Mike Answeeney, board president of the Buffalo Regals.
"Our goal has always been to develop the best hockey talent that this area has
to offer. After seeing the skill development model and resources the Sabres
will have in place from the very first day, we feel very confident that the
entire hockey community will benefit from the commitment that Mr. Pegula has
made to this area."

As
part of the arrangement between the two groups, the Buffalo Sabres will work
with the Buffalo Regals tier II and house programs in future years both on and
off the ice through youth clinics, coaching clinics and fan development.